Director, Attorney - Litigation Counsel

USAA•San Antonio, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

USAA is seeking a talented Director, Attorney (Litigation Counsel) at its San Antonio, Texas corporate headquarters. This role involves managing, leading, developing, supervising, and motivating a team of Legal professionals, overseeing their day-to-day operations. The Director provides best-in-class legal, advocacy, and advisory services to the association or members, ensuring alignment with prevailing laws and regulations. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing strategic initiatives to support business objectives, identifying and implementing best practices for efficiency, and collaborating with Compliance and practice area leadership. The role ensures staff provide high-level service to internal clients or members and participates in or leads assigned programs and projects. The position offers a flexible work environment requiring 4 days per week in the office.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required.
Admission to practice law in one state or a territory of the USA.
Active membership in good standing of the bar in at least one state or territory.
8+ years of experience practicing law within legal area of expertise.
3 or more years of direct team lead or management experience required.
Advanced understanding of the function/discipline and demonstrated application of knowledge, skills and abilities toward work products required.
Advanced level of business acumen in the areas of the business operations, industry practices and emerging trends required.
Ability to influence members of executive management and executive team.

Nice To Haves

8 years of experience representing businesses in complex auto or property insurance bad faith litigation, to include substantial experience in civil trials or arbitrations as well as preparing and presenting corporate representatives for testimony.
Substantial first chair trial experience, preferably concerning personal lines insurance with auto and homeowner’s insurance.
Proficiency in complex legal holds and electronic discovery.
Experience at a law firm supporting an insurance carrier or at a large financial services institution.
Experience developing and mentoring attorneys and paraprofessionals.
US military experience through military service or a military spouse/domestic partner

Responsibilities

Manage a team of Legal Professionals dedicated to providing support for internal clients.
Provide legal counsel and services of a moderately complex to complex nature.
Apply broad or expert legal counsel within area of expertise to manage regulatory, compliance and litigation risk to USAA businesses.
Oversee highly complex legal research to provide solution-oriented legal counsel to senior level business clients.
Develop and oversee execution of strategy/business plan for area of responsibility.
Engage and collaborate with other legal experts within the company and at times outside counsel.
Apply critical thinking to review complex and non-legal material for legal implications that may pose a risk to the organization.
Produce clear and concise written materials appropriate for submission to senior level internal clients.
Prepare written legal positions involving highly complex and unique issues that require a high degree of independent legal thought and strategy for resolution.
Act as a legal point of contact and proactively partners with Compliance and the USAA businesses to mitigate legal compliance and legal risk.
Keep abreast of any changes in regulations and laws advising appropriate organizational leadership of such changes.
Advise senior executive management, including the Executive Leadership Team.
Lead cross-functional assignments in the development and implementation of key initiatives.
Anticipate opportunities and potential solutions and lead team through the problem resolution process.
Build and oversee a team of employees for assigned functional area through ongoing recruiting, development, retention, coaching and support, performance management, and managerial activities.
Ensure risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.